IT CAN be recalled that on May 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children - Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco in Fatima, Portugal.
For six months on the 13th day of the month, Our Lady, would appear to the children and urged them to pray the rosary for peace and to end the war.
Today, October 13, marks the 100th year of miracles by Our Lady in Fatima who said was the Lady of the Rosary.
About 70,000 witnessed her appearance together with Our Lord, as well as the Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Carmel, Saint Joseph with the child Jesus. The Miracle of the Sun happened. The blind was able to see, the lame was able to walk and other miracles.
The Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross (MMHC) and the Youth for Mary and Christ (YMC), organized a grand rosary and mass rally last week at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum to commemorate the 100th year of Our Lady of Fatima.
Thousands of high school students from Negros Occidental graced the event.
Benefactors, sponsors, partners and friends also attended this annual event.
MMHC is a religious congregation of priests and brothers founded in the Philippines by Mrs. Letecia Tordesillas-Albert and with Bishop Camilo Gregorio of the Diocese of Bacolod as bishop-protector.
The group started in 1976 as members of the Youth Marian Crusade (YMC), a Catholic Youth Group, in public schools in Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Negros Occidental. The YMC core group members became the first brothers of MMHC.
YMC, now known as the Youth for Mary and Christ, continues to grow with members in various places and schools in the Philippines.
The grand rosary and mass rally started with song and dance icebreakers. Almost everyone joined and had fun. Joy was felt in the coliseum.
Rev. Januarius Michael Ma. Paglinawan, MMHC, gave the inspirational talk. He called on those who were present for convert by continuing to pray and to do penance. He touched so many hearts with his own personal story of miracles. His other message which gave an impression was to stop bullying – to stop killing the dignity of a person.
Before the Eucharistic Celebration, we prayed the rosary.
Bishop Patricio Buzon, in his homily, retold the story of the apparitions and how the Blessed Virgin Mary’s predictions came true. He emphasized to continue to pray the rosary for peace.
The rally ended at almost 1pm with a thank you message from Rev. Fr. Aloysius Vime Ma. Moraga, MMHC. It was “late” but the people were still alive and left with a motivated and renewed heart.
The rosary rally is truly a stress reliever. Prayers and love for our Lord can help a person heal physically, mentally and spiritually.
As we continue to celebrate the mental health month and the rosary month, let us pray to our God, to Allah, to Buddha, to spiritual healer for peace in our country, for vocations and for our physically and emotional healing.